Linguistic variation in Emekuku-Igbo

Abstract

This study demonstrates the variationist position that language varies by its relation with social factors. The Emekuku-Igbo is focused because of its historical trajectory in Igbo land, which is translates into the social structure it exhibits currently. That variation is displayed in Emekuku-Igbo is consistent with the position of micro-sociolinguistics but the extent to which the variation distinguishes varieties is the focus of this study. Four linguistic variables have been identified in Emekuku-Igbo, (k), (g), (e) & (r) through transcription of recorded interviews of selected speakers of the dialect distributed by age and gender groups. Each has two variant forms determined to manifest by interaction with the social factors, age and gender. An analysis of the occurrence of the variants with the speakers distinguish two varieties, the variety spoken by the young speakers and the variety spoken by the older and aged speakers. The young speakers’ variety is marked by the [g] & [e] variants while the other variety is marked by the [gw] & [o] variants of the same variables respectively. The social variable, gender influences variants of the same linguistic variables identified in the study but the percentage differences between the occurrences of the variants with the genders do not distinguish any varieties.